Well, it's that time of year again. Art will be running the Honolulu Marathon on Sunday. Tiffany and KC are flying in Saturday night. Art says it won't matter because he'll be too keyed up to sleep early anyway.I'll be struggling to open my eyes at 3:00 and Dennis will pick us up at 4:00 to make the drive into Honolulu for the 5:00 AM Marathon start time.
We went to the Hawaii Convention Center today to pick up Art's bib and racing chip.
Yes, those are real palm trees. I checked.
Mom was surprised at seeing so many Japanese people milling around all the booths. I believe well over half of the 25,000 runners are from Japan alone.
When I asked a question at one booth, the salesman laughed and said, "Oh good, you speak English! And I mean that in a good way."
I wondered what a bad way would be.
Here's Art picking up his number and chip.
He looks mighty happy doesn't he? It's forecasted to be cloudy and rainy. It'll keep him cool if not wet. I made him promise to stop if he feels he is too tired and hitting that proverbial wall. He's 66, for goodness sake! Wouldn't a half-marathon be good enough? Does he have to run 26 miles and 385 yards or 42.195 kilometres?
Mom had fun watching Art write on the runners' Graffiti wall and seeing all the Japanese messages. You'd think we were in Japan.
And of course, he couldn't resist buying some racing gels for Sunday. I wanted him to buy a really big hat to protect him from the sun but it was $40.00 and he refused. Ah well, it's supposed to be cloudy anyway.
Lunch was a carb laden bowl of ramen noodles. Not good for mom or me, but we couldn't pass it up. Ala Moana Shopping Center was decorated with cheerful holiday glitter and color.
I can't believe Tif and KC will be here on tomorrow and that Art will be running on Sunday! I need to go clean their bathroom.
Kay, I can't believe it has been a year already!! I wish Art alot of luck with his marathon!!
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you that Tif and KC are coming in on Saturday-enjoy your visit with them!
I bet you all are so excited. I wish Art good luck and hope he holds up, and like you said, stops if he is too tired. Thank you for coming by.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that Art is healthy enough to undertake this arduous run. Good luck to him!
ReplyDeleteI am also happy for you that Tif and KC are coming for the holidays. Should be a lot of fun!
Hurray for Art!!! And I'm glad that Tif and KC will be with you!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Art! Cool with slight rain would be good. KC will be so excited to see him running.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for him!
ReplyDeleteI'm a runner too, never run a marathon,I did kick a 10km run's butt last year;) So thrilling to finish. I can only imagaine the feelings when its a longer race!
Go ART! YAY! Sounds like perfect running weather..
LOL Your last sentence is a surprise ending!
ReplyDeleteWhat a weekend you're going to have, wow! Tiffany will be so proud, even if her father does decide to slow down somewhere in the middle. The main thing is that Art made the decision to be a marathon runner, trained, sacrificed, persevered, ran the previous ones. His starting all that is more important than finishing all those grueling miles in the rain.
But then, I can't even imagine running more than half a block--what do *I* know.
Good luck to you all.
Oh, and such cool indoor palm trees.
ReplyDeleteSo you can just look at a person and know s/he comes from Japan and not Hawaii? (That may sound stupid, but I, too, "mean it in a good way.")
The problem is that running is fun and ramen tastes good. We must go with the flow.
ReplyDeleteYep, those palm trees are real! The Hawaii Convention Center is a beautiful building.
ReplyDeleteI know you're excited about the upcoming visit! You still have so much to do! Get busy! ;)
so exciting that Tif and KC will be there so soon. Good luck to Art.
ReplyDeleteArt does look happy...good luck to all!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHe's going to have so much fun. You and the family are going to worry. The end will be great. :) Take lots of pictures for us please. :)
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Daughter and granddaughter are on the way! You'll be too occupied with KC to worry about Art.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Art. Have a good race.
Good for Art, my goodness, that year went quickly didn't it? I wish wings for his feet and that he and you will have a fun day. Great that Tif and KC are arriving.
ReplyDeletehow fun for your grand daughter to watch grandpa run!
ReplyDeleteDina: Yes, we can pick out somebody from Japan pretty easily. The clothing is different for one thing and there's a certain look. I don't know how to explain it. When we go to Japan, they also know that we are not actually from Japan even though we are of Japanese descent. We are probably a curiosity for them. I remember my aunt (in Japan) saying I walked rather "boldly." My mother says local people look more "relaxed." That's one way to put it.
ReplyDeleteArt looks very happy to be signed up for the marathon. can't believe how early you'll be getting up for the run though.
ReplyDeletegood luck Art. hope you finish strong.
have a great night~
there were several large groups of marathoners in Waikiki practicing today, I guess a dress rehearsal for Sunday's marathon, including the obligatory mock finish, having their photos taken as they "surged" through the gate of triumph, above the finish-line. If this 70° weather with its slight breeze holds for Sunday, there might be a course record.
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining. It's sort of like when tourists come and ask me how they can look at Jerusalemites and tell how's a Jew and who's an Arab.
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at the "in a good way" comment -- but only after reading what you pointed out!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Art! I wonder if I'll run one someday (no plans now, mind you...)
Good luck Art and have a wonderful time with the family coming.
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